Why trading Matthew Knies for a rental would be a mistake for the Leafs
The Leafs are in an interesting position right now. As they stand, they are the third best team in the NHL. The problem is, they have 2 division rivals joining them in the top 6. They are also desperately in need of a playoff run that extends beyond the 7th game of the post season. With Jake Muzzin's salary on LTIR, they have wiggle room to add an impact player at the trade deadline, the question is who do they add, and at what cost?
With half of the league vying for a chance to draft a generational talent in Connor Bedard, there are more sellers than usual this season. Names like Patrick Kane, Ryan O'Reilly, Timo Meier, Bo Horvat and more are being made available in order to increase their team's chances of falling into a lottery slot. Meier would be a fantastic add for the Leafs, and is my personal favourite option. At 26 years old, his production is nearly identical to William Nylander's, but he also brings an element of physicality that the Leafs are in need of. The cost to acquire him will be extremely high. Likely along the lines of a multiple high draft picks plus one or more good prospects.
I'm just as desperate as the next Leafs fan to finally see this team go deep in the playoffs. A player like Meier or O'Reilly would definitely be a huge boost, but it cannot come at the expense of Matthew Knies. The Leafs' #1 prospect is reportedly no longer considered untouchable, according to DFO's Frank Seravalli, but I wouldn't be so quick to let him go. For one thing, there is a distinct possibility that Knies joins the Leafs at the end of his NCAA season, but even if he doesn't, they need to hold onto him.
Standing at 6'2 and 220lbs, Knies is a big, fast, physical forward with fantastic hands and an NHL caliber shot. He plays in all situations and is a constant shorthanded goal threat. Prospects like him don't come around often. He is a true power forward who plays with an edge, sure, but there are a lot of positives to his game outside of his size, speed and tenacity. He may not be NHL-ready this season, but there is no doubt in my mind that he will be an impact player in the future. Since there are no guarantees against teams like Boston and Tampa in the playoffs, giving away a player like Knies for a coin-flip would be reckless and irresponsible - neither are characteristics that Kyle Dubas is known for.
The Leafs' window is open as long as the current core stays together, but if Dubas is able to retain Matthews, Marner and Nylander after next season, he will need to find talent that can outplay a meagre salary to surround them with. Knies can be exactly that throughout his ELC and a bridge deal afterwards can keep his cap hit reasonable beyond that. A mix of top end veteran talent and youthful enthusiasm is the recipe for success in today's NHL. Trading Knies denies the Leafs that opportunity.
Being a GM in today's NHL requires balance. The Leafs have a finite number of kicks at the proverbial can before their window closes. Not having the confidence to spend assets to bolster the roster could easily bite them. However, as we learned from watching the Florida Panthers this season, spending too much on rental players can sink a franchise's future.
I believe that Matthew Knies is a big part of the Leafs' future. I also believe that Kyle Dubas is a shrewd enough GM to add an impact player without having to send Knies the other way. At the very least, if he does deal Knies, I sincerely hope Dubas can at least bring in a young star player who will remain under team control beyond this season.
Time will tell what the future holds for the Leafs and Matthew Knies, but as of this moment, it is my opinion that Knies will be more useful to the Leafs as a player doing THIS, than as a trade chip.
| POLL | ||
JANVIER 20 | 335 ANSWERS Why trading Matthew Knies for a rental would be a mistake for the Leafs Would you include Knies in a trade package if the return was Timo Meier or Ryan O'Reilly? | ||
| Dude, yes. We need to win a round | 35 | 10.4 % |
| For Meier yes, O'Reilly no | 58 | 17.3 % |
| No way, keep that monster! | 242 | 72.2 % |
| List of polls | ||
